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Introduction

Creating an animated explainer video is the best chance to present ideas in a fantastic visual and creative way. Whether you make use of animations for marketing, education, or entertainment, preparation will play a big role. Asking the right questions in the very beginning can save your time and help make the production process much less complicated, so you're sure that all is going in line with the purpose. The very first step of this planning process is to identify what are 2 questions that help set the scene for an animation?

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"Who are we trying to reach?” and "What is the purpose of this video?” 

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These foundational questions (what are 2 questions that help set the scene for an animation?) help guide the creative and production process to make sure your animation hits its mark.

What is Animation?

Animation is a technique of giving an illusion of movement by showing a series of static images or frames. These are normally drawn or modeled as 2D or 3D, but given the impression of moving because they are shown in rapid succession and give the viewer the impression that there is continuous movement. Some types of animation include:

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Traditional Animation: This animation needs to draw every frame with hands on a paper and usually achieves a fluid or organic motion. Examples include early Disney movies.

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2D Animation: More contemporary version of the traditional animation where the images are created using software, just like in the case of television shows or web animations.

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3D Animation: It's more real-looking animation that creates depth and reality and is more frequently used in animated films and video games.

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Motion Graphics: Well suited to logos, promos, and infographics, this style relies highly on movement and design to tell the story.

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Stop Motion: A style of animation where objects are manipulated in real life in very small increments to give the illusion of moving; for example, with clay models or puppets.

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Knowing what type of animation fits your project is important in setting up the tone and approach for your explainer video.

Why Animation?

Animation has its advantages to make it strong for various industries, whether it is marketing, educational purposes, or entertainment. No medium can capture the view similar to animation.

1. Visual Appeal

Animation captures the eye through creative visual effects, bright colors, and fluid movement. Therefore, it is an effective medium for depicting concepts that may not be easily placed in live-action footage, such as technical processes or abstract ideas.

2. Flexibility

Animation brings to life whatever you can imagine-abstract characters, complex systems-and it is great for presenting concepts that are difficult or impossible to present in real life.

3. Simplification of Difficult Concepts

Animation simplifies abstract data. An animation can simplify the description of technical procedures, step-by-step directions or abstract ideas more easily than static images or text pages since animators can break data down into tangible, visible parts.

4. Interaction

Animation usually does a better job of holding the attention of viewers for longer periods than static images or text pages. This makes it very important for marketers and trainers to have their message heard and remembered by the viewer.

Key Questions to Set the Scene for an Animation

Aside from asking what are 2 questions that help set the scene for an animation? Asking these other questions before beginning to produce will sharpen your focus and lay a solid groundwork for your project.

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1. Who are we trying to reach with our animated video?

Define your target audience. This is going to define the tone, look, and ultimately the overall message to be communicated through your explainer video. The demographics, interests, and pain points will prove useful when making content that resonates on another level.

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If the target group is young professionals, the animation will be sleek and fluid in nature. For older people, it will be more straightforward and to the point. In educational contexts, the animation has to be clear, interesting, and easy to follow.

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Addressing Preferences Different target audiences also have preferences in terms of animation style. For instance, a tech-savvy audience will be interested in a 3D animated video that is set against the backdrop of cutting-edge features, whereas a young target will be attracted by bold visualizations in 2D animations.

2. What is the purpose of this video?

Knowing what the animated explainer video wants to do sets much of its content and structure. Does it aim at creating brand awareness, educating, or entertaining? Once you define what the main purpose of your video is, everything from its script to style of animation will be defined by that purpose.

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Misalignment of Goal: For Education Purposes, the video should be straightforward and easy to understand. For Marketing or Creating brand awareness, creativity and aesthetics are more important.

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A call-to-action is what actually makes a video a CTA video. An educational video would typically leave the audience with a recommendation to explore other resources in more detail while a marketing video would conclude by asking viewers to purchase something or subscribe to some form of service.

Additional Questions to Ask Before Making an Animated Video

Along with the major questions (what are 2 questions that help set the scene for an animation?), which set the context for your animation, here are other production considerations that should avoid a hitch in the track of producing an effective video:

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Should I do this myself, in-house?

Based on the scope of your project, you'll need to hire specialists or contract your business out to an animation company.

What is my business brand identity?

Your style and tone for your video need to fit into your brand image.

What is my budget?

Animation can be very economical, or it can reach an extreme price, all depending on the complexity of the video, whether it's short or lengthy.

When do I need this?

This may affect the scope and quality of the project.

Will the agency deliver by the due date?

Set realistic timelines for production that will not involve rush jobs.

How long is this video going to last before it expires?

Think whether it's going to be quite a long-term usage of the video, or if it's a one-time usage campaign.

What is your hook?

The video should have enough punch at the beginning to grab that one moment of attention.

Is your message clear?

Ensure the messages are not too long-winded and rather easy to understand.

Should I ask the agency for help with a script?

Scriptwriting is part of an essential duty, so you would consider whether you need to seek professional assistance .

What does the policy on revision and feedback say from the agency?

You should learn how many revisions are included and how the feedback can be expected to be handled.

Should I storyboard it?

Storyboarding is the stage that assists you in visualizing your video before you shoot the video.

What kind of Animation do I want for it?

2D, 3D, motion graphics, or stop motion based on requirements.

How long should the Animation be?

This depends upon the client's attention span or the complexity of information.

Have I thought about music?

Adding music uplifts a video and is something that should be planned beforehand.

Will this video be subtitled or dubbed into other languages?

If so, build in subtitles or make duplicate versions in other languages.

Voice over included in the fee?

Voice over can be paid for separately. Clarify upfront.

What tone of voice do I want the narration to have?

The tone of the voice over should match your brand's message.

Where should this Animation be published?

Decide where the video will live—on your site, YouTube, social media, etc.

Who owns the rights to the video?: Ensure you have rights to use and distribute as needed.

Best Practices for Creating Helpful Animated Videos

Animated video to explain always pay attention to the following best practices when creating an animated explainer video to ensure that you get an engaging video that yields results:

Keeping animations short and engaging.

You must get to the point soon because your target audience's attention span is as short as that of the entire world.

Ensuring high-quality visuals and sound

Ensure superior audio and visual quality for a professional look and feel.

Maintaining brand consistency

This must reflect your brand's colors, tone, and messaging.

Including a clear call to action (CTA)

End with a strong call to action telling viewers what you want them to do next. 

Conclusion

Creating a successful animated explainer video requires thorough planning and asking the right questions (what are 2 questions that help set the scene for an animation?). From identifying your target audience to defining the purpose of the video, these foundational elements set the scene for effective animation. By considering additional factors like budget, timeline, and creative direction, you can ensure that your animation project runs smoothly and achieves its intended goals.